WNBL and NBL1 North champion Courtney Woods joins the Darwin Salties

The Darwin Salties’ marquee signing for the 2024 NBL1 season is keen to use all her experience to help the NT bring home a championship.

The Darwin Salties’ marquee signing for the 2024 NBL1 season is keen to use all her experience to help the NT bring home a championship.

Courtney Woods was pivotal in the Northside Wizards grand final victory against the Rockhampton Cyclones last season, and now she’s offering her support to the fan-favourite Salties.

And it’s not her only victory having also won a WNBL ring with the Townsville Fire in the past 12 months making her one of the most accomplished basketballers in the country.

Courtney Woods will briung Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“I’m very excited to be joining the Salties and the Darwin Basketball community,” Woods said.

“I love the professionalism and resources the club provides, and the level of commitment coach Rod Tremlett expects from his players.

“I can’t wait to get to work with the team and fight to bring Darwin a NBL1 championship.”

Tremlett was over the moon to have the champion join his side and now had his sights firmly set on some silverware to bring back to Marrara.

“It’s a huge, huge day for the club, the word that comes to mind is Courtney’s a winner,” he said.

“In the past 12-months she won the NBL1 title, MVP, and ANZAC medal and also won a championship in the WNBL.

‘She’s expressed the love that she’s had for the place when she’s come up and played us, in our hostile environment, and she’s excited to become a Darwin Saltie.”

Rod Tremlett was over the moon to have Courtney Woods on board. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Tremlett highlighted the impact Woods would have off the court too, calling her someone who was invested in junior development.

While on the court she was expected to bring the necessary points, having averaged 24 points last NBL1 season.

“She’s really been about community and we just think she’s an amazing fit for us this season,” he said.

“Being the MVP of the league, that brings some weight and some responsibility, but we’re super excited with where the group sits at the moment.

“While Courtney will be a major part, some of the returning players that we’ve got, and some of the players that we’ve added this year, are certainly going to help.

“The experience Courtney brings with the style of play that she produces being able to get up and down the floor is the way we want to play as well.

“When we need a bucket at critical times, obviously to have a go to player like that, it’s going to really help us as well.”

Salties announce marquee signing

The Salties have fired a warning shot to the rest of the NBL1 by signing one of the competition’s hottest prospects.

Reigning MVP, and current Townsville Fire championship-winning player, Courtney Woods has decided to join the Darwin Salties for the upcoming NBL1 North season.

Woods is fresh off winning the NBL1 championship with the Northside Wizards, and Salties management couldn’t be more stoked with her arrival.

Women’s coach Rod Tremlett said the “proven winner” was someone who would be invaluable, particularly with Erin Bollmann a likely out for the Darwin side.

“She is in rare company over the last 12 months winning both a WNBL and NBL1 North Championship, plus she was MVP of our league,” Tremlett said.

“Her leadership will be invaluable to our on-court successes and her friendly nature will ensure she is a crowd favourite.

“She will inspire local juniors which is critical to our future.”

League MVP Courtney Woods signs with the Darwin Salties for 2024 NBL1 North season. Picture: Contributed.

General manager Matt Nason echoed coach Tremlett’s sentiment, and said he was very excited for the club’s newest big name signing who would join a host of local talent.

“Courtney was a star last season and this is a great signing for the club,” Nason said.

“The Salties women played finals in 2023 for the first time and we want to make the top 4 and play a ‘home’ final in 2024.

“That’s the goal and Courtney will help us get there.”

As well as securing a major on-court signing, the Salties have also secured a massive off-court boost with Tamboran Resources securing naming rights for the next three seasons.

They take over from Bridge Toyota who was the naming rights sponsor during the 2023 season, in which both Salties sides made it to finals.

Nason said bringing onboard a full-time name rights sponsor would help the Salties on their journey to becoming a NBL and WNBL club.

“What I especially love is that Tamboran want to see us become a full-time professional NBL club – they want a long-term partnership that delivers for the Territory, he said.

“They also have a particular interest in supporting our women’s program – including being Courtney’s player sponsor – and they will join our journey to also become a WNBL club.”